Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' Tree

Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' creates an attention-grabbing contrast between bundles of candyfloss pink flowers and glossy, deep wine coloured foliage. The blousy double flowers are a feature in their own right, appearing in March-April. 'Royal Burgundy' offers another vibrant display in autumn, when the dark purple leaves turn bright scarlet before falling. In winter, the exfoliating coppery bark creates interest.

Growing to a height and spread of 5 x 3 metres in 20 years, this small, gently spreading cherry variety makes a wonderful feature tree with changing interest throughout the year. Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' has been granted the RHS Award of Garden Merit and can be grown in most soils except damp. As with most Flowering Cherries, a position with full sun is preferable.

For a similar cherry blossom tree with green foliage, see Prunus 'Kanzan'.

AKA Purple Leaved Cherry Blossom tree, Japanese Flowering Cherry

• Common name: Flowering Cherry 'Royal Burgundy'
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 3 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Foliage: Emerges bronze and turns dark wine/purple. Bright scarlet in autumn.
• Flowers: Pink double flowers in spring
• Soil: Suited to most well drained soils except shallow, chalky sites

Planting Advice for Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' Trees

Pot grown Royal Burgundy Cherry trees can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots can be planted November-March. Choose a location away from strong winds to protect the blossom, then remove weeds and grass within a metre of the site. Dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide. To help the tree establish, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting Purple Cherry trees (except multi-stem forms) with a stake and tie kit to ensure the roots are well anchored - instructions are in the planting guide. Finish by watering generously around the base.

Aftercare Advice for Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' Trees

Water Royal Burgundy Cherry Blossom trees well and regularly through the first spring and summer, increasing in periods of hot or dry weather. In autumn, you may only need to water a little. Our Irrigation kits aid establishment.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.

Pruning Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' Trees

Although it is possible to leave your Royal Burgundy Flowering Cherry tree to its own devices, if you prune it for the first few years it will create a more balanced branch framework. Prune after flowering i.e. after the petals have dropped but before the new shoot growth appears.

After two to three years, you will only need to remove any damaged or unwanted branches. The formative pruning previously carried out will have led to a healthier tree less likely to need this though. On top grafted forms, very occasionally the grafted stem may produce shoots and these should be pruned back.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.